Guitar shop in the Richmond area?

[roadbiker]

Hi folks. I'm in the Richmond area for a few more days and am would like to sto in to a guitar shop. The weather is lousy here today, so I figured checking out some guitars may be a good way to spend some free time. Any suggestions? I'm staying east of Richmond in Quinton, kind of between Richmond and Williamsburg.

Thanks, Jim

[byrd]

I purchased my Taylor from the Guitar Center in Richmond.  There's a Sam Ash Music literally right next door.   It's certainly not anything overly unique or local, but it's convenient to have them so close to one another.  They are over on W Broad Street. 

When I was shopping I also noted the Richmond Music Center and Guitar Works from the Taylor website.  I can't give much info on either of those though since I didn't visit either of them.  I was strapped for time during the holiday season, and I live about 45 min south of Richmond.  If you're down as far as Gloucester county (again 45 min south of Richmond), Winter Sound is a nice store.  I pass it every day. 

[Tammany Tiger]

Forget about the Richmond stores. GC is just another GC and the Sam Ash acoustic room is sub par.

Make the pretty ride on Route 30 through West Point to Route 17 and then South on 17 to Gloucester Point and visit Winter Sound. Jim Winter is a great guy and he has a fantastic selection of  Taylors (and other brands) at great prices.

It's about a 45 minute ride from where you are but well worth it. GC and Sam Ash are on the West End of Richmond and will take you nearly 30 minutes or so in traffic. Winter is a better place and a much more relaxing experience. The few extra minutes are well worth it.

Have lunch at The River's Inn Restaurant at Sarah's Creek, just across Route 17. It's on the water and the deck is probably open.

The last time I was in Winter Sound, Jim had a Martin D-16 from the late 1930's that was an extrordinary guitar.

[byrd]

Forget about the Richmond stores. GC is just another GC and the Sam Ash acoustic room is sub par.

Make the pretty ride on Route 30 through West Point to Route 17 and then South on 17 to Gloucester Point and visit Winter Sound. Jim Winter is a great guy and he has a fantastic selection of  Taylors (and other brands) at great prices.

It's about a 45 minute ride from where you are but well worth it. GC and Sam Ash are on the West End of Richmond and will take you nearly 30 minutes or so in traffic. Winter is a better place and a much more relaxing experience. The few extra minutes are well worth it.

Have lunch at The River's Inn Restaurant at Sarah's Creek, just across Route 17. It's on the water and the deck is probably open.

The last time I was in Winter Sound, Jim had a Martin D-16 from the late 1930's that was an extrordinary guitar.

Tammany, do you live in Gloucester?  I'm up at the north end of the county, almost in Saluda (work down in Yorktown).

I saw that Martin when I was in there last as well.  When I was last in there in January, they also still had a Taylor 2011 414ce-Spring LTD (walnut B/S).  I was "this" close to purchasing it.  I should also note that Winter Sound was the location for a Taylor road show stop last year (or was it 2010?).  I wasn't playing much at that time but a friend got a sweet deal on a 814ce during the show, although Winter Sounds pricing is pretty good in general.

Oh, and if your a beer or wine fan... stop up at Kelsick Gardens on Main St.  It's a great little specialty market.

[Tammany Tiger]

Forget about the Richmond stores. GC is just another GC and the Sam Ash acoustic room is sub par.

Make the pretty ride on Route 30 through West Point to Route 17 and then South on 17 to Gloucester Point and visit Winter Sound. Jim Winter is a great guy and he has a fantastic selection of  Taylors (and other brands) at great prices.

It's about a 45 minute ride from where you are but well worth it. GC and Sam Ash are on the West End of Richmond and will take you nearly 30 minutes or so in traffic. Winter is a better place and a much more relaxing experience. The few extra minutes are well worth it.

Have lunch at The River's Inn Restaurant at Sarah's Creek, just across Route 17. It's on the water and the deck is probably open.

The last time I was in Winter Sound, Jim had a Martin D-16 from the late 1930's that was an extrordinary guitar.

Tammany, do you live in Gloucester?  I'm up at the north end of the county, almost in Saluda (work down in Yorktown).

I saw that Martin when I was in there last as well.  When I was last in there in January, they also still had a Taylor 2011 414ce-Spring LTD (walnut B/S).  I was "this" close to purchasing it.  I should also note that Winter Sound was the location for a Taylor road show stop last year (or was it 2010?).  I wasn't playing much at that time but a friend got a sweet deal on a 814ce during the show, although Winter Sounds pricing is pretty good in general.

Oh, and if your a beer or wine fan... stop up at Kelsick Gardens on Main St.  It's a great little specialty market.

Nice to meet you, Byrd.  I actually live on the Southside but enjoy making the trek up to Gloucester. I used to keep my sailboat in Urbana and later at Salt Ponds just below the York. My family has logged many miles on the boat from the Rappahanock to Mobjack Bay to the York. I also have a lot of family on Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.

I've known Jim Winter for a while and love to send folks his way. He is a fine guy and I love his shop.

Is Kelsick Gardens in Gloucester Courthouse or at Gloucester Point? Sounds like Gloucester proper.

[byrd]

Nice to meet you, Byrd.  I actually live on the Southside but enjoy making the trek up to Gloucester. I used to keep my sailboat in Urbana and later at Salt Ponds just below the York. My family has logged many miles on the boat from the Rappahanock to Mobjack Bay to the York. I also have a lot of family on Northern Neck and Middle Peninsula.

I've known Jim Winter for a while and love to send folks his way. He is a fine guy and I love his shop.

Is Kelsick Gardens in Gloucester Courthouse or at Gloucester Point? Sounds like Gloucester proper.

What a small world!  My wife and I have some good friends who keep a sail boat over in Urbana.  They live on a little creek right off of the Rappahanock.  We currently own a small horse farm in Gloucester, but are currently trying to sell it and have our eyes firmly set on beautiful farm over in Wake (that's on the Middle Peninsula right between the Dragon Run River and Rappahanock).

Kelsick Gardens is up in the Courthouse area, so if you're coming up from the southside, that's at least an extra 20 minutes or so.  I was hoping to stop by there this evening to stock up, but I got out of work late.  It's a great little store, run by a very nice family (for the life of me I can't remember their names right now).

I've found that everyone who works at Winter Sound is VERY nice and helpful.  I've been meaning to stop in for a while.  Last time I was there they hadn't received any fall LTDs, but were supposed to get some in.  But now the Spring LTDs are out, so I'll certainly need to see if they get any of those in.